Gas generating apparatus



Aug. 5, v1941.. H HOWARD 2,251,796

I GAS GENERATING- APPARATUS Qriginal Filed April 19, 1935 V \nveflov IrldEYbwatd Patented Aug. 5, 1941 GAS GENERATING APPARATUS Harold E.Howard, Benton Harbor, Mich., as-

signor to National Gas Service, Incorporated, Benton Harbor, Micl'n, acorporation of Michigan Original application April 19, 1935, Serial No.17,191. Divided and this application April 22, 1936, Serial No. 75,757

1 Claim.

This invention relates to gas generating apparatus and is divided frommy application filed April 19, 1935, Ser. No. 17,191.

One of themain advantages of my invention is that only a singlevolatile, inflammable liquid, such as butane, pentane or the like, isrequired. This results in the production of a gas which has a definteand stable heat value at all times.

Another primary advantage is that my apparatus is extremely simple,having no moving parts whatever. Nevertheless, the functioning of thedevice is exceedingly' eflieient. An enormous quantity of gas, comparedto the size of the equipment, is produced in a minimum of time. Yet nohigh pressures, always somewhat objectionable, are necessary.

Another feature is the minimum amount of labor and expense involved inthe upkeep. In this respect, the tank needs to be filled only once ortwice a year.

Other advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawing, the single figure illustrates, somewhatschematically, my invention.

Numeral l indicates a tank buried in the earth 9. A partition H dividesthe tank as shown.

The partition II has a restricted orifice [2 near the bottom of the tankfor the passage of the liquid butane. A pipe ll of L-shape has a portionextending through the partition into one of the chambers and a verticalportion which leads to a point adjacent the bottom of the other chamber.This latter chamber may be called the gas supplying chamber anddesignated by numeral It. The other chamber, called a fuel supplyingchamber, is indicated by numeral IS.

The chamber It has an outlet 'pipe I6 through which the gas is carriedto the points of its use.

Inlet pipes l1 and I8, having valves I9 and 20, respectively, areprovided for the insertion of the liquid fuel into the tank. When thevalves are closed the tank is sealed.

The operation is easily understood. Preferably the tank is installedunder ground and filled by means of the pipes I1 and 18 to the depthshown. The vapor pressure from the butane or the like fills the spacesabove the liquid level.

It will be understood that the rate of flow through the gas outlet l6depends upon the size of the outlet and the pressure head. This with-,

drawal of gas at certain times during normal operating conditions causesthe pressure of the gas in the supplying chamber It to fall inasmuch asthe liquid cannot flow through the orifice l2 at a rate suflicie'nt tocompensate for the gas withdrawal and thus the pressure in the chamber15 becomes operative to force liquid from the tube 13 and then bubbleupwardly through the liquid. This forms additional gas and causes eddycurrents as shown by the arrows in the drawing. The opening I2 isrestricted so that the liquid flow through this orifice or duct does notequal the rate of flow of the outgoing gas. In one type of installationthe orifice I2 is V," in diameter and the pipe 16 is 1" in diameter.

From the above it will be seen that my device is extremely simple.Nevertheless, the rapid functioning of the gas generating apparatus,when needed, is present. The action is eflicient with respect to theamount of liquid fuel on hand. A tank of gallons is suflicient toprovide the ordinary family with lighting and heat for cooking for ayear.

The invention is defined in the appended claim and is to be consideredcomprehensive of all forms of structure coming within its scope.

I claim:

In combination, two closed chambers, one being called a gas supplychamber and the other a fuel reserve chamber, means to flow gas fromsaid gas supply chamber to reduce the pressure therein, means to conductgas from the fuel reserve chamber into said gas supply chamber at a lowpoint therein, and means to conduct liquid from said fuel reservechamber into said gas supply chamber at a considerably lesser rate offlow than the flow of gas through the gas conducting means.

HAROLD E. HOWARD.

